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Lebanon’s Central Bank lifts all expensive fuel subsidies amid economic crisis

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BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s central bank lifted its remaining subsidies on fuel on Monday, gas station owners said, ending a year-long process of scaling back on the expensive program. The Central Bank over a year ago announced it would gradually lift fuel subsidies, to slow down the draining of its foreign exchange reserves. Fuel subsidies once cost the cash-strapped country some $3 billion annually. Last week, it subsidized just 20 percent of the cost of fuel imports. Lebanon is in the throes of a crippling economic crisis that has plunged three-quarters of its population into poverty and decimated the value of the Lebanese pound against the dollar by around 90 percent. The World Bank has described the collapse as one of the worst in the world in the last 150 years. Now, gas station owners will price fuel at the country’s “parallel market rate” — also known as the black market rate, Gas Station Owners’ Syndicate spokesperson George Brax told The Associated Press.

The local currency is still officially pegged at 1,500 Lebanese pounds to the U.S. dollar, but now trades at about 35,250 pounds at the black market rate. A liter of 95 octane gasoline currently cost just less than a dollar, but topping up the average car costs almost the monthly minimum wage. The black market rate heavily fluctuates with little transparency, possibly risking arbitrary price hikes regardless of global fuel prices. Under the subsidies program, the Central Bank would allow importers to exchange Lebanese pounds for US dollars to fund imports and keep prices stable. However, with Lebanon’s currency devaluation and skyrocketing inflation, gas station owners claimed the stable pricing was not sustainable, while security agencies struggled to crack down on fuel hoarding in warehouses and gas stations.

Lebanon: Rahi Rejects Obstruction of the Constitution, Disabling the Nation

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by english.aawsat.com -- Lebanon’s Maronite Patriarch Bechara Al Rahi criticized Monday the efforts of some political parties to obstruct the implementation of Lebanon’s constitution, the formation of its government, and the crucial upcoming presidential elections. “We can not thrive in atmospheres of hatred, accusations, and abuse, at the level of political parties and blocs, as is unfortunately happening today. An atmosphere like this poisons the life of citizens,” said Rahi during his Sunday mass sermon. He added that Lebanon’s “tragedy” is the fact that many (political parties) do not admit their mistakes or regret them, “so we live in a sin structure. This reality amounted to the disruption of constitutional life and (the state) institutions.” The Patriarch rejected all kinds of “malicious” endeavors paralyzing the crisis-hit country, stressing the need to form a new government and prevent a vacuum at the top state post when the term of President Michel Aoun ends on October 31. “We are not silent, but we reject paralyzing the nation, we are not silent but we reject obstructions to the constitution, we are not silent but we reject obstructions to the formation of the government, we are not silent but we reject obstruction to the election of a new President,” he stated, without naming any party in particular.

Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati was tasked to form a new cabinet on June 23, but his efforts have failed so far. On the investigations into the Beirut port explosion and the move to name an alternate judge, replacing Judge Tarek Bitar, Rahi said: “It is unfortunate that the Lebanese have reached a state of mistrust and politicization, which is what’s happening today between the families of victims of the Beirut port bombing and caretaker Justice Minister Henri Khoury,” al-Rahi said in his Sunday Mass sermon. “The investigative judge in the case, Tarek Bitar, is staying in his post and by law is in charge of the investigation file, but his hands are tied due to the finance minister’s refusal to sign the decree of judicial appointments,” added Rahi.

Afghans and Lebanese People Are the Unhappiest People in the World, Survey

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by Julie Ray -- finchannel.com -- Unhappiness continued to rise worldwide in 2021, as the world overall became a sadder, more worried and more stressed-out place. But in two countries — Afghanistan and Lebanon — more people were living in misery than anywhere else on the planet. Last year, Afghanistan and Lebanon posted the two highest scores in the world — 59 and 58 — on Gallup’s Negative Experience Index, which is a composite measure of people’s daily experiences of sadness, stress, worry, anger and physical pain. Higher scores on the index mean more of a population is experiencing these emotions. The high scores for Afghanistan and Lebanon in 2021 notably displaced Iraq — which still ranked among the top most miserable countries — from the No. 1 spot on the Negative Experience Index that it had occupied for the two previous years. Iraq posted scores similar to Afghanistan’s and Lebanon’s current scores throughout its war against the Islamic State group.

Most of the countries with the highest scores on the Negative Experience Index were contending with some type of economic or political instability in 2021 that is mirrored in their emotional health. When Gallup surveyed Afghanistan as the Taliban retook control last year and as the U.S. withdrew its troops, Afghans’ emotional state reflected the chaos and uncertainty. Worry, stress and sadness soared to record-high levels in Afghanistan and were the highest in the world in 2021: 80% of Afghans were worried, 74% were stressed, and 61% were sad. Notably, no other population in the world has ever reported feeling this worried in the history of Gallup’s trend.

In Lebanon, political instability and government ineffectiveness have become the norm, but the country’s latest economic meltdown has been harder on people than any of its struggles since the civil war. The quality of life has deteriorated so much that 63% of Lebanese adults said they would like to leave the country permanently if they could — this desire is even stronger among those experiencing negative emotions. As life in Lebanon became harder, negative emotions surged to record highs. Nearly three in four people (74%) said in 2021 that they experienced stress “a lot of the day” during the previous day. About half of people in Lebanon also said they experienced a lot of sadness (56%) and anger (49%). Lebanon led the world in anger in 2021.

Lebanese Caution after Hochstein Lauds ‘Very Good Progress’ in Maritime Border Talks

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by english.aawsat.com -- The US mediator arbitrating negotiations of the maritime border between Lebanon and Israel, Amos Hochstein, reported “very good progress” towards arranging for a deal that benefits the Lebanese economy. Hochstein’s optimism followed his meetings with several Lebanese officials in Beirut. Many in Lebanon remain “cautious” as the results of talks suggest a delay in time before completing a deal, a matter which adds to rising tensions considering threats made by Hezbollah. Lebanon and Israel are engaged in US-brokered negotiations to demarcate maritime borders, which would help define each party’s share of oil and gas resources and pave the way for further exploration. Hochstein arrived in Beirut on Friday.

The US mediator held rounds of talks with senior officials, and met with President Michel Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, in addition to Deputy Speaker of Parliament Elias Bou Saab, Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Bou Habib and Director of General Security, Major General Abbas Ibrahim. Hochstein updated Lebanese officials on his contacts during the past weeks following a prior visit to Beirut. Besides discussing his contacts with the Israeli side, Hochstein also reviewed the results of his visit to France, including talks with the French energy company “Total,” which is in charge of drilling in Lebanese territorial waters, accompanying sources told Asharq Al-Awsat. Sources said that the US mediator “did not carry a decisive Israeli response to Lebanese demands,” stressing that the delay in reaching an agreement, “is something that does not satisfy the Lebanese who insist on achieving it as soon as possible.” Moreover, Lebanon categorically rejects establishing joint fields with Israel.

Why four days of national mourning in Lebanon?

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L'Orient Today / Caroline HAYEK/L'Orient-Le Jour -- The presidency says it is 'following protocol,' but deviations have been made in the past. "As if we needed that!" Nayla, 37, bursted out laughing at the news Friday morning, which she said she initially thought was a joke. Lebanon has declared four days of national mourning to honor Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away Thursday night at the age of 96. Baabda announced a period of national mourning to last from Sept. 9 to 11, as well as the day of the queen's funeral, Sept. 18, ten days after her death. The announcement caused strong reactions on social media, with some Lebanese saying they consider the official decision "ridiculous," "shameful" or "really unwelcome in the context of the current crisis." "The families of the victims of Aug. 4 are currently demonstrating for justice for this criminal explosion that killed more than 200 people, and our leaders say that we must mourn a queen who died peacefully," said one commentator.

Like most countries in the region, Lebanon follows a loose protocol when monarchs or heads of state pass away. This seems to tied to the depth of relations between the two countries. King Abdullah II of Jordan, who is of British descent through his mother, announced seven days of national mourning on Thursday. The Hashemite Kingdom and the United Kingdom have a very close relationship dating back to the First World War. But if this decision seems understandable from a country like Jordan, it is less so for Lebanon. A source in Baabda assured L'Orient Le Jour that "the protocol of three days of mourning for each death of a sitting head of state" is strictly followed, to which "one day for the funeral" was added. Yet deviations from the protocol have been made in the past. Following the death of Syrian President Hafez al-Assad in 2000, Lebanon decreed a week of national mourning. Lebanon decreed the same following the death of former Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser in 1970. In contrast, only two days of mourning were decreed for the death of Jordan's King Hussein in 1999. Following the death of former French President Jacques Chirac in 2019, only one day of mourning was scheduled by the Lebanese authorities.

US mediator: 'very good progress' in Lebanon-Israel maritime talks

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by middleeastmonitor.com -- The US mediator in a long-standing maritime border dispute between Israel and Lebanon said on Friday that the negotiations to resolve the conflict have made "very good progress", Reuters reports. The two countries are locked in US-mediated negotiations to delineate a shared maritime border that would help determine which oil and gas resources belong to which country, and pave the way for more exploration. Amos Hochstein arrived in Lebanon early on Friday for a lightning round of talks with top officials including the President, Prime Minister, Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Parliament, as well as security officials. "I think we're making very good progress," Hochstein said after meeting President Michel Aoun, deputy speaker, Elias Bou Saab and General Security chief, Abbas Ibrahim. He added that he was hopeful an agreement would be reached soon.

Speaking at the Rafik Hariri International Airport at the end of his visit to the country, Hochstein said: "I really feel that we're making progress these last few weeks and I hope to make additional progress and materialize this for an agreement that at the end of the day will give hope and economic activity in Lebanon (and) bring stability to the region, and I think this will be good to all involved." "I'm very hopeful with what I heard today, with what we discussed today, but still more work needs to be done," the U.S. mediator said. He added that the United States is "committed to work to resolve the issues that remain to be able to see if we can reach an agreement that will benefit the people of Lebanon." "At the end of the day that's the goal that we have in mediating this dispute," Hochstein went on to say.

Hochstein was last in Beirut in late July for meetings with Lebanese officials, saying after that visit that he looked "forward to being able to come back to the region to make the final arrangement". At the time, a senior Israeli official told Reuters that the government would present a new Israeli proposal that "includes a solution that would allow the Lebanese to develop the gas reserves in the disputed area, while preserving Israel's commercial rights". A Lebanese official said, at the time, that the proposal would allow Lebanon to explore the entire Qana Prospect, an area with the potential to hold hydrocarbons and which crosses beyond Line 23. Line 23 is the maritime line that Lebanon first set as its border during negotiations, before ramping up its demands to a line further south. Exploration rights south of Line 23 would represent a concession by Israel.

Catholic leaders remember Queen Elizabeth II’s Christian faith

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by catholicnewsagency.com -- By Katie Yoder -- Catholic leaders worldwide mourned the death of Queen Elizabeth II — the longest-reigning monarch in British history and the head of the Church of England — after she passed away at the age of 96 on Thursday. They called for prayers while remembering the late queen’s Christian example. “At this time, we pray for the repose of the soul of Her Majesty,” Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the archbishop of Westminster and president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, said in a statement. “We do so with confidence, because the Christian faith marked every day of her life and activity.” Nichols went on to cite her Christmas message from 2000. “To many of us, our beliefs are of fundamental importance,” he quoted her as saying. “For me the teachings of Christ and my own personal accountability before God provide a framework in which I try to lead my life. I, like so many of you, have drawn great comfort in difficult times from Christ’s words and example.”

Nichols expressed gratitude and admiration for the queen’s service and called her faith an inspiration. “The wisdom, stability, and service which she consistently embodied, often in circumstances of extreme difficulty, are a shining legacy and testament to her faith,” he said. He asked for prayers for the queen and her son, the new king — King Charles III.